Confident and Prepared: Smart Strategies for A-Level Success
By Mrs Bonnie Christie, Head of Sixth Form
As exam season approaches, Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Bonnie Christie, has some key strategies for success.
As Upper 6 students approach the final stretch of their A-level journey it’s time to focus on revision, consolidate learning, and prepare for the exam season ahead. With the countdown to exams ticking down, it is essential to make the most of this time, balancing rest with productive study. From creating effective revision schedules to practising past papers, students can head into their A-level exams feeling confident and well-prepared. These Sixth Form exam strategies can make all the difference during these final few weeks.
Balance offers, revision and exams
Juggling UCAS applications and awaiting responses from universities while simultaneously preparing for A-level exams can feel like a delicate balancing act. If a last decision is received on or before 14 May 2025, the reply date is 5 June 2025, except when using Extra to find a place. Offers can motivate revision so celebrate receiving them, but let them fuel a drive to revise, especially if offers are conditional. Stay focused on achieving the grades needed. Be sure to take time with firm and insurance choices. Keep revision a priority as although the UCAS decisions are important, A-level exams will ultimately have the biggest impact on the future.
Plan a structured revision schedule
With exams fast approaching, creating a structured revision timetable is crucial. Break down each subject into manageable sections and assign specific time slots to focus on each topic. At Harrogate Ladies’ College, pupils refer to bespoke teacher reports to identify key areas for improvement, which help effectively create a streamlined revision plan. While it’s important to focus on high-priority areas, remember to allocate time for rest and relaxation to avoid burnout. Aim for consistent, focused study sessions rather than leaving everything to the last minute. Additionally, make use of self-marking with mark schemes and redraft responses to track progress and reinforce learning. This process helps identify mistakes and improve understanding, turning revision into an active learning experience.
Make the most of teacher feedback
Now is the time to thoroughly review the feedback from teachers on mock exams, assignments, and coursework. Reflect on their written comments and identify areas where further clarification or improvement is needed. At Harrogate Ladies’ College, our teachers remain available to help pupils, even after study leave begins. Once the Summer term starts, be sure to continue to use lessons and subject clinic time to address any remaining confusion and fine-tune understanding.
Now is an opportunity to focus on refining knowledge and addressing any gaps. Teachers are a valuable resource, and their continued support will be crucial as the final stages of exam preparation begins.
Harrogate Ladies’ College pupils preparing for their A-level exams
Stay organised with deadlines
When it comes to revision, not everything can be a priority at once. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material, but the key is to stay focused and organised. Use a revision plan and tackle one thing at a time. Stay calm, stay focused, and trust in the preparation
Maintain your wellbeing
It’s easy to get caught up in stress during this busy period, so taking care of mental and physical health is vital. Getting enough sleep, eating well, and making time for exercise and relaxation is so important. If feeling overwhelmed, reach out to someone — whether it’s a teacher, tutor, or friend — for support. If choosing to study at Harrogate Ladies’ College during study leave, hot meals plus access to fresh fruit are available daily. Where possible, get some fresh air every day. We are so lucky to have Valley Gardens on our doorstep for a walk or a run to get some well-earned vitamin D.
Proactively engage in the process
This period is a transitional time into young adulthood, and a key characteristic of the young people we want to develop is confidence to proactively engage and contribute to their learning process, with the independent learning environment of university mere months away. We are fortunate at Harrogate Ladies’ College to have small class sizes, which enables us to develop these skills directly and consistently. Lower 6 Enrichment Week and Careers Fairs are fantastic opportunities for Sixth Form students to engage with various higher education institutions and prospective employers, and the expectation is Harrogate Ladies’ College students come prepared, engaged and with a goal in mind. We want them to engage, rather than passively going around and accepting free pens and notebooks.
The Empower Programme is crucial to the development of Sixth Form pupils.
The Empower Programme at Harrogate Ladies’ College has been instrumental in preparing Year 13 students for the upcoming exam months and their transition into university. Through a combination of tailored academic support, time management workshops, and personal development sessions, the programme has equipped students with essential skills to manage pressure, stay organised, and approach their exams with confidence. Additionally, it has helped build resilience and independence, ensuring they are well-prepared not just for their final exams, but for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead at university and in their future.
As a UK leading independent school based in Harrogate, we are proud to offer dedicated facilities, Sixth Form exam strategies, lifelong support a bespoke Oxbridge program to ensure our pupils have the best chance of success. Take a tour of our Sixth Form facilities, and find out more about the Sixth Form experience at Harrogate Ladies’ College.